I've got new maps for my readers based on the Twilight Histories episode Hannibal One. I've got two maps, one of Earth and one of Mars. So, among other things in this world:
Carthage, under the leadership of the general Hannibal, won the Punic Wars and thoroughly obliterated Rome. Carthage would go on the expand and create and empire spanning all the continents of the world. Several great cities, libraries and centers of learning were established throughout the Carthaginian Empire. The canal was established in Egypt to allow for easier trade with the east.
Gwanggaeto the Great managed to survive longer than he did in our world. Eventually, Gwanggaeto was able to take advantage of political turmoil in China to cease the Mandate of Heaven and establish a massive Korean Empire. The Korean Empire would go on to become Carthage's primary rival for world domination.
As Carthage and Korea began to expand their empires they frequently got involved in boarder skirmishes, and territories often passed back and forth between the two empires. In particular, this occurred in India on more than a few occasions. However, the frequent invasions did wonders for Indian unity as now Indians throughout the subcontinent had a clear goal: keep Carthage and Korea out. In time India established its own empire that, while not as vast as Carthage or Korea, could still give the empires a run for their money.
With Carthage occupied elsewhere, the Lithuanians were able to able to expand throughout Eastern Europe and establish and small empire of their own. Lithuania fell increasingly within Carthage's sphere of influence as the years went on, but ultimately remained independent. The two empires remain on good terms with each other, and their citizens have been known to get into friendly rivalries over whether Baal or Perkunus would win in a fight.
Carthage and Korea discovered new lands, such as Australia and the Americas, as they continued to expand. However, they weren't alone in their exploration. The Norse also sent expeditions to North America and established settlements; all the while forging alliances with multiple tribes of natives. Eventually, the Norse settlements and tribal alliances grew into the nation of Skraland. The Norse we able to establish good terms with Carthage and Korea, but still had to frequently deal with both empires nibbling around the edges of Skraland.
The Mayans formed an alliance to resist colonization as Carthage expanded into Central America. Like India before them, this unity allowed for the establishment of a Mayan Empire. India has also historically been a supporter of the Mayans against Carthage and Korea. The natives of the Great Plains also faced the prospect of colonization, but they managed to avoid this mostly due to Carthage and Korea being occupied elsewhere. Unlike the Maya, however, they failed to adapt to the reality of the new socio-political landscape. As a result, combined with their lack of natural resources, the Confederation of the Plains has the highest poverty and unemployment rate of any nation on Earth.
The Incan Empire managed to survive by playing Carthage and Korea off of each other. They've allied with India and the Maya. The Inca have managed to take quite a bite out of South America, the bits Carthage didn't claim anyway. Meanwhile, the Creek Confederation decided the best survival strategy was an alliance with Carthage. They're well within the Carthaginian sphere of influence, but remain independent, if somewhat in name only.
The Zulu were able to establish an empire in Southern Africa at a time when Carthage was dealing with the effects of accidental hyperinflation resulting from their gold and silver mines in the New World. With Carthage's relentless expiation temporarily paused, the Zulu were able to use their vast mineral wealth to fund their new nations and their diplomas courted good relations with other nations. The Kingdom of Lunda also experienced a period of growth and expansion around this time.
Carthage, Korea and India produced several inventions and advances in technology over the centuries. Before long all three nations experienced industrial revolutions, and it wasn't long before several other nations industrialized as well. Within a matter of decades air travel was achieved, and before long the first manned missions to space were launched. Carthage was the first to launch a human into space, but Korea was first to land on the Moon.
Korea's victory in the Moon Race prompted Carthage to achieve their next goal. They vowed not only to send a manned mission to Mars, but a one-way mission of colonization. Carthage achieved this goal with its mission Hannibal One; launched on the 1000th anniversary of Hannibal's sacking of Rome. The success of the Hannibal One mission prompted Korea to speed the production of their own Mars mission known as Gwanggaeto One.
Both missions suffered numerous set backs. The crew of Hannibal One experienced bouts of religious fanaticism to the point of performing multiple human sacrifices. Meanwhile, the crew of Gwanggaeto One suffered multiple technological failures and were forced to throw one of their one out of the airlock after the life support systems received critical damage. Despite the hardships, both missions were ultimately successful in no small part due to international cooperation. The crew of Hannibal One provided critical replacement equipment, while the crew of Gwanggaeto One provided human companionship in the harsh and isolated environment.
Over the years several more missions were sent to Mars; including ones funded by third party nations. Numerous discoveries were made, but perhaps the biggest the the discovery of native Martian microbial life. This provided a major moral quandary due to the discovery occurring in the middle of terraforming negotiations. Ultimately, it was decided that terraforming would be delayed, but only by fifty years. Currently, terraforming efforts have raised temperatures and atmospheric pressure to Earth levels.
The immense distances between Earth and Mars have created challenges for the administration of the colonies. Recently, a Carthaginian colony declared its independence with little resistance. Other off-world colonies have also begun to consider self-governance, and this has prompted a revaluation of the administration of the colonies. In any event, the Martian colonies have always been friendlier with each other than their mother countries ever were with one another.
Having said that, there's still been quite a bit of increased international cooperation recently. Old tensions are dying down and the world in general is becoming a more peaceful place. Attendance at the temples of the gods is slipping, and secularism is on the rise, but there is still religion. Missions have been sent to the other worlds of the Solar System, and there is now talk of a possible mission to Proxima Centauri. Geneticists have been able to revive long dead Ice Age animals, but it's still a matter of debate whether Neanderthals should be revived. Recently, advances have been made in the field of AI technology to the point that a scientist is currently on trial for the attempted murder (read: deletion) of an AI.
It's a crazy and different world, but they're working out the kinks. Hey, they made it this far and the future is looking pretty bright for everyone.
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